Hastings Deering Colts Round 5 preview

Mackay have found a steeling resolve with three wins and a bye to start the season; their defence found a groove against Burleigh Bears.

Kobe Bone has been leading the defensive charge and has topped the Cutters tackle count in the three wins with 24 against Norths Devils, 32 against the Pride and 33 against the Bears. Then it was over to Hugh Arthur with three tries. 

Against the Bears the Cutters led 12-4 at half-time through two first half tries. It was the period of defence between the second minute when the Bears scored to the 58th minute when the Bears got across the line again that won the Cutters the game.

The Cutters had Kane Simon in the sin-bin but defended the line like men possessed scrambling in a very heavily penalised game that struggled to find any flow.

Ethan Sweet’s running game was like sugar with 216 metres and Kai Simon made one line break and scored one try.

Cutters coach Craig Kennedy is happy with the start to the season but knows the 'work in progress' sign is still up.

“We will take the three wins make no mistake about that,” Kennedy said.

“But we know it’s a long season and we are a work in progress, I don’t think our defence the first two weeks was great.

“Certainly, good in parts and then better against the Bears but we are still allowing too many points.

“Toby Sullivan has been good for us, he is playing his first year of Colts and has worked so hard to get a game this year.

“Then those guys like Ethan Sweet and Kobe Bone have been doing some great work.

“The Dolphins are a big team and if you allow them to run and make ground then you can’t stop the momentum and points. Our focus again is defence.”

On the other side of half way and trying to test that defence at very opportunity will be the Dolphins who have also won three games and had a big win over Ipswich.

The Dolphins’ Michael Roberts is doing everything with four line breaks against Ipswich and three tries.

Stepping up from the Dolphins' Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup-winning side has been John Fineangenofo who has two games in Colts and has two tries, two line breaks and 144 metres against the Central Queensland Capras.

Elsewhere, Ipswich Jets and Tweed Seagulls will face off.

Central Queensland Capras and Sunshine Coast Falcons will battle for the two points.

The Bears will take on Western Clydesdales.

Northern Pride and Souths Logan Magpies come together.

And finally, Norths Devils and Townsville Blackhawks round out the round.

Brisbane Tigers and Wynnum Manly Seagulls both have a bye.